Wireless power distribution and control system

ABSTRACT

A wireless power distribution and control system may be used to supply power wirelessly to various devices. The devices in the system may have control over the system and/or over certain features of other devices. For example, a smartphone charging in the wireless power distribution and control system may have access to and control over other devices in the system, such as the overhead lights, or a projector in a conference room. The identification of other devices, as well as commands for controlling these devices may be communicated over the wireless power link. The type and degree of control of each device in that system may vary based on access control levels for the power supplies and connected devices. The devices that receive power may be configured to automatically connect with the power distribution system and to monitor the other devices connected to the system.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority as a Continuation to U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/791,560, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,618,770 (issued Dec. 31, 2013),entitled “Wireless Power Distribution and Control System,” filed on Jun.1, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/236,388, entitled “Wireless Power Distribution and ControlSystem,” filed on Aug. 24, 2009, the entire disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein. This application is further related toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/763,622 (Atty. Dkt 13746-34 BH2142),entitled “Physical and Virtual Identification in a Wireless PowerNetwork,” filed on Apr. 20, 2010, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

There is a significant and continually increasing need for widelyavailable access to electrical power, particularly in the field ofconsumer and business electronics, due to the proliferation of laptopcomputers, cell phones, music players, personal digital assistants andother self-powered rechargeable remote and/or portable devices thatrequire periodic charging. In many public places, power may not bereadily available to the general public because of the need for aphysical power outlet for a wired connection. As such devices becomemore prolific and more power hungry, the availability of outlets and theneed for access to electrical power sources have become more common,increasing competition by users for available outlets and causingoperators of public spaces to restrict access due to the expense. Thisis exaggerated by the number of devices and the volume of usage perperson. In addition, electric vehicle charging may now rely on the useof standard electrical outlets, which contribute to the power supplyneeds of the public. The expenses and technical difficulty ofestablishing, maintaining, and controlling the devices in a powerdistribution system may be significant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The system and method may be better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings and description. Non-limiting and non-exhaustiveembodiments are described with reference to the following drawings. Thecomponents in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.In the drawings, like referenced numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the different views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless power distribution system;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary surface providing wireless powerdelivery;

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative wireless power distribution system;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary control interface;

FIG. 5 illustrates alternative wireless power distribution systems;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative wireless power distribution system;

FIG. 7 illustrates a process for reporting identifications;

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary control types;

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary control examples;

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary hub addresses for power supplies;

FIG. 11 illustrates a process for identifying and controlling networkdevices;

FIG. 12 illustrates a wireless power distribution system for use in ahome environment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a wireless power distribution system for use in anoffice environment;

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative wireless power distribution systemfor use in an office environment;

FIG. 15 illustrates a wireless power distribution system for use in anauditorium;

FIG. 16 illustrates a wireless power distribution system with multiplecontrol and power options using direct current (“DC”) outputs; and

FIG. 17 illustrates control using addressing and identification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is a significant and continually increasing interest in wirelesspower supply/delivery systems to satisfy the consumers' needs forconvenient access to electrical power. Wireless power supply systemsprovide a variety of benefits over conventional wired connections. Mostnotably, they eliminate the need for various charging cords and the needto repeatedly plug in and unplug electronic devices for recharging,thereby reducing cost and improving ease and convenience of use.Publicly available wireless charging may be very convenient and usefulfor consumers. Accordingly, wireless power distribution systems may beestablished for providing power wirelessly. It may be desirable to makethe electrical installation, distribution and control as simple aspossible. Those power distribution systems may allow for certain devicesto have access control over the system and/or other devices, such as forthe purpose of regulating, measuring reporting and/or obtainingcompensation for the delivery of electrical power. This control systemmay include device and power supply identification, as well as accessrestrictions for devices in the power distribution system. Theidentification, access restrictions, as well as control commands may becommunicated via the wireless power link. One distinction between awireless power distribution system and a traditional distribution systemis that control may be an inherent aspect of wireless power. If thecontrol causes the primary driver to oscillate, then the primary driveror wireless power supply is on. Additional relays and control circuitrymay not be needed as it is already part of wireless power. One otherfeature is that the exchange of information and control without powerconnections and wires to these devices may make it convenient toconfigure and use.

By way of introduction, the disclosed embodiments relate to a system andmethod for wireless power distribution and control of devices in thesystem. A power distribution system may include a power supply thatprovides power to devices and/or components within that distributionsystem. In some systems, there may be a controlling device or controllerthat can control the other devices. The devices that receive power maybe configured to automatically connect with the power distributionsystem and to monitor the other devices connected to the system. Thecontrol of devices may be based on commands communicated over thewireless power infrastructure. In one embodiment, the commands arecommunicated wirelessly as part of the wirelessly delivered electricalpower that is provided by the power supply. Upon connecting with thepower distribution system, the device and/or the system may establish anaccess level for that device. Certain devices may have access to andcontrol over all the devices in the power distribution system. Thataccess, as well as identifications of devices, may also be transmittedas part of the wireless power link. A particular device may beconfigured to receive charge by multiple power distribution systems indifferent environments, such as home or work.

As described, the wireless power distribution system distributeselectrical power wirelessly to devices that are within the vicinity of apower supply. It will be appreciated that the range over whichelectrical power may be delivered wirelessly from the supply to thedevice is implementation dependent and may range from the device beingimmediately proximate to the supply to being substantially distanttherefrom, such as less than 1 inch to more than 10 feet. The powerdistribution system may include the distribution of low voltage power inone embodiment. The distribution of low voltage power may be beneficialbecause low voltage distribution may not require the same degree ofregulation and installation complexity. For example, low voltageregulation may not be subject to UL certification listing. A low voltagewireless power distribution system may be more easily installed,modified, and initiated. Low voltage may be defined by local andnational electrical codes. In one example, a low voltage wireless powerdistribution system may provide power under 48 Volts of continuouscurrent (“VDC”). Alternatively, the power distribution and controlsystem may distribute wireless power at higher voltages. A low voltagesystem may also be easier to configure, install and modify without thematerials and costs associated with higher voltage distribution systems.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless power distribution system 100. Acontroller 102 is coupled with a power supply 104 that provides powerfor remote wireless power supplies 106, 108. The remote wireless powersupplies 106, 108 charge remote devices 110, 112, respectively. Theremote devices 110, 112 may include a battery that must be recharged orthat requires a power supply for operation. It will be appreciated thatthe disclosed embodiments may be used to supply power to non-batteryoperated devices which require delivery of operating electrical power atthe time of operation. Throughout this disclosure the term charge may beused to include providing power for recharging a battery as well asproviding or delivering power for reasons other than charging a battery,such as powering the device. The remote devices 110, 112 may include acellular telephone, a Smartphone, Blackberry®, personal digitalassistant (PDA), notebook/laptop computer, netbook, portable multimediaplayer (playing video/audio files, Blu-Ray, DVDs, CDs, etc.), video gameplayer (e.g. Gameboy®, Playstation Portable®), mp3 player, iPod®, or anyother device that may utilize stored electrical power or an electricalpower source.

The remote devices 110, 112 may be configured to wirelessly receivepower from the remote wireless supplies 106, 108. As illustrated, theremote device 110 is coupled with the remote wireless supply 106, andthe remote device 112 is coupled with the remote wireless supply 108. Inone example, each of the remote devices 110, 112 may include an adapteror other interface (not shown) for wirelessly receiving wireless powerfrom the remote wireless supplies 106, 108, each of which may alsoinclude a corresponding adapter or interface (not shown). Adapters forthe power supply system 100 may connect with a standard electricaloutlet for receiving wired power from the power supply 104. The adaptersmay be used for devices that may not otherwise be capable of receivingwireless power. The devices may plug into the adapter which receives thewireless power and then delivers it to the devices over the adapterconnection. There may be a uniform adapter that provides power to anumber of different devices. For example, the uniform adapter mayinclude multiple plugs that fit different devices for providing chargeupon receiving power wirelessly. The wireless power transfer and adaptermay be further described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0150934, entitled“ADAPTER,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The power supply 104 provides power to the remote wireless powersupplies 106, 108, and the remote wireless power supplies 106, 108wirelessly provide power to the remote devices 110, 112 to charge orotherwise operate the devices. As described, the power or energy may bein the form of an electric current (AC or DC) that is passed from anelectrical outlet or supply terminal to the remote device. The power maybe provided through induction that generates an electrical current atthe consumer's device that charges the device. Voltage properties orcurrent properties of the power supply 104 may be controlled over thewireless power network. Wireless power transfer is further described incommonly owned U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0231211, entitled “POWER SUPPLY,”which is hereby incorporated by reference. Wireless power charging isfurther described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0079392, entitled “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR INDUCTIVELY CHARGING A BATTERY,” and U.S. Pat. Pub. No.2007/0042729, entitled “INDUCTIVE POWER SUPPLY, REMOTE DEVICE POWERED BYINDUCTIVE POWER SUPPLY AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME,” both of which arehereby incorporated by reference. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplarysurface for wireless charging.

The controller 102 may be a computer that is operative for configuringthe wireless power distribution system. For example, the controller 102may be used for establishing access restrictions for each remote devicethat is being or seeks to be charged by the system 100. The controller102 may be a computer or other computing device for accessinginstructions stored on a computer readable medium as described below.Alternatively, the controller 102 may include one or more processorsconfigured for executing computer program logic or other instructionsstored in one or more memories. The controller 102 may further includean interface for accessing the stored instructions or other data storedin the one or more memories. As described with respect to FIG. 6, thecontroller 102 may be coupled with a network, such as the Internet, andincludes an interface for modifying the wireless power distributionsystem. The controller 102 may be used for establishing or modifying theaccess or control from a particular device. For example, the access mayinclude which other devices that particular device can control as wellas individual features of the other devices that may be controlled. Asdiscussed below, the controller 102 may identify the device that isbeing charged. The identification may utilize the communicationdescribed in the U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 61/142,663, (Atty. Dkt.WN3214) entitled “WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEM WITH DEVICE POWER COMPLIANCE”filed on Jan. 6, 2009, and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0157603, entitled“INDUCTIVE POWER SUPPLY WITH DEVICE IDENTIFICATION,” both of which arehereby incorporated by reference. One of the remote devices 110, 112 mayhave control over other devices, in which case, the controlling remotedevice may identify or receive identification about the other devices inthe wireless power distribution system.

In one embodiment, the wireless power may be transferred to a remotedevice automatically with limited or no user interaction. For example,when a consumer with his/her remote device enters into a wireless chargearea, the remote device may automatically begin receiving wireless powerafter the remote device is identified. The wireless charge area mayinclude the range that the wireless power is available over. When theremote device is within range, it may automatically receive power untilit is fully charged, at which time, it may stop receiving power. When adevice is brought within range of a wireless power supply (e.g. powersupply 104 and/or remote wireless supplies 106, 108), the presence ofthe device may be detected. The power supply may then interrogate thedevice to identify it, validate the device's access level for receivingpower and then continue to deliver power. If the device is notauthorized or allowed access, the wireless power supply may stopsupplying power to that device. Alternatively, automatic charging mayrequire a confirmation from the consumer on whether the remote deviceshould be wirelessly charged, and/or a confirmation from the powersupply that charging is allowed. The remote device may detect that it iswithin the wireless power range and provide a Yes/No option for theconsumer to decide whether to receive wireless power to the remotedevice. The remote device may automatically request or receiveidentification and information on the system, the power supplies, and/orother devices. This information may be communicated via the wirelesslyprovided power, such as via selective/controlled modulation of thetransmitted energy. This information may be used for establishingcontrol over certain devices in the system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary surface providing a wireless charge. Thepower supply equipment 202 may include a wireless charger 201 with asurface 202 that is adjacent a primary coil 204 coupled with a powersupply 206. The power supply 206 provides current to the primary coil204 for generating a magnetic field. When a device, such as one of theremote devices 110, 112, is disposed on or near the surface 202, acharge is induced in a secondary coil in the remote device from theprimary coil 204. The wireless charger 201 may be located in each of theremote wireless supplies 106, 108 illustrated in FIG. 1. In alternativeembodiments, a single wireless charger 201 may charge multiple devices.The power supply equipment 202 may include a single large wirelesscharger 201 that charges multiple devices. The wireless charger 201 maybe located in a home, office, coffee shop, auditorium, or otherenvironment as described with respect to FIGS. 12-15. Alternatively, thewireless charger 201 may be located with airport seating, train seating,airplane seating, fold down tables, or restaurant tables for providing awireless charge. Surfaces, such as a desktop, work surface, or table mayalso be equipped with the wireless charger 201.

The communications of information over the wireless power connection mayinclude modulation of the wireless power. In one embodiment, theinductive coupling of a device with a power supply is used forwirelessly transferring power to the device from the power supply. Aspart of the wireless connection, information may be transmitted to thedevice from the power supply. As described below, that information mayinclude a listing of other devices in the system or connected to thepower supply, as well as access restrictions, control codes, and/orcommands for controlling other devices. In one embodiment, loadmodulation may be used to communicate from the device to the powersupply. The modulation may occur while the load is powered for reasonsof simplicity and cost. The system may be designed to listen or pause.This communications methodology may be adopted for transmitter andreceiver designs. For example, either rail voltage modulation orfrequency-shift keying (“FSK”) modulation may be used for wirelesscommunication from the power supply to the receiver. Although it may bemore difficult to receive signals while powering a device, knowndecoding technology may be utilized for receiving these messages. Eachpower channel or device being charged may establish a communicationslink through this power control channel. This data may then be sharedvia the two and three wire communication channel between remote wirelesspower supplies. This allows many devices to be multiplexed or many powerchannels to facilitate many devices all communicating independently tothe system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative wireless power distribution system300. As shown in FIG. 3, remote devices 110, 112 from FIG. 1 may includeroom lighting 314, a wireless projector 310, and a wireless smartphone312. The low voltage power supply 304 may provide power to the remotewireless supplies 106, 108. The three wire connection from the lowvoltage power supply 304 is discussed below with respect to FIG. 5. Asshown, the remote wireless supply 106 wirelessly provides power to thewireless projector 310, and the remote wireless supply 108 providespower to the wireless smartphone 312. The room lighting 314 is poweredby the low voltage power supply 304, or it may be wirelessly powered.

The wireless smartphone 312 may be a controlling device or controller.It may be equipped with software for communicating with the wirelesspower distribution system 300 to identify the devices that are in thesystem and the functions of those devices that may be controlled.Exemplary commands that are communicated by the smartphone 312 forcontrolling other devices are shown in FIGS. 8-9. The control of anydevice from another device may be determined by access restrictions orcontrol codes for the controlling device or the controlled device. Asshown, the wireless smartphone 312 may control the room lighting 314. Inone embodiment, the access restrictions may allow for complete controlof the room lighting 314, or may only allow for an on/off functioncontrol as opposed to a dimmer control. The wireless smartphone 312 mayalso control the low voltage power supply 304 or any of the remotewireless supplies 106 over the wireless connection by adjusting ormodifying the power supply properties, such as voltage or current.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary control interface 402. The smartphone312 may include a displayed interface 402 through which other devices onthe wireless power distribution system may be controlled. As shown onthe exemplary control interface 402, the smartphone 312 may control theslides of the wireless projector 310, as well as the power and sourcefor the wireless projector 310. In addition, the smartphone 312 controlsthe room lighting 314. The exemplary control interface 402 is merely anexemplary interface through which a remote device can control otherdevices in a wireless power distribution network. The software that ispresent on a controlling device may include user interface functionalityfor receiving commands from a user, as well as including information onthe identification of devices, and the commands that control thosedevices as described with respect to FIGS. 8-9. In one embodiment, whena device with access control over other devices is in a proximity of awireless power supply, the software of the device automaticallycommunicates with the power supply to identify the power supplies andany devices present in the system. The identification of the devices maybe necessary for the device to be able to provide control over thosedevices.

Device identification of wirelessly powered devices may be made uponconnection to the system or the system may periodically poll the devicesto determine who is presently connected. As described, a device that isreceiving wireless power from a power supply or remote power supply inthe system may be described as connected or within the system. Thedevice may communicate with the system through a “push” communication tothe system, or it may wait for a request for identification from thesystem. The system may then maintain a device table or directory whichlists the devices connected at any given time, the address of the devicefor uniquely communicating with it, and a time stamp as to when thedevice was last reported to be present. In addition, the list mayinclude previously connected devices, which do not have to communicateall their identification information when they again connect with thesystem. If the time stamp expires, the device may need to be re-polled.In a push system, the devices may identify themselves repeatedly orperiodically to maintain the table entry. When devices connect, they maybe assigned addresses. In one embodiment, the addressing may be througha system similar to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”)addressing system used by computers to obtain internet protocol (“IP”)addresses over a Wi-Fi network. In one embodiment, device serial numbersmay be used as part of the addressing system. Through the use of a DNStype system a user can identify a device such as “projector inconference room 21A” using an easily recognizable name which getstranslated into the computer recognizable address. This name may also bestored in the directory. In some wireless power delivery systems, theremay be domains and sub-domains for the addressing scheme allowingaddressing of devices in a single room or across the entire building. Inone example, a wireless power delivery system in a school may give ateacher control of devices in a room, while a janitor may have controlof all devices in the building.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative wireless power distribution system. Inparticular, FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless power distribution system witha three-wire connection from the low voltage power supply 504 and with atwo-wire connection from the low voltage power supply 508. The remotedevices 506 a-c are coupled with a three-wire connection to the lowvoltage power supply 504. The remote devices 510 a-c are coupled with atwo-wire connection to the low voltage power supply 508. Both thetwo-wire and the three-wire connections include a +DC power cable and aground GND cable. The three-wire embodiment utilizes a control signalCTL that provides for data communication with remote devices that arewirelessly powered by the system. The CTL signal may include an RS232full duplex transmission path for devices to communicate with thewireless power distribution system and for the system to communicatewith attached devices. The communication may include the identificationof devices and/or power supplies, as well as commands for controllingthose other devices and/or power supplies. In the two wire system, thecommunication may be passed through the +DC power cable. The terminator512 may be used in either two or three wire systems to allow the powersystem to monitor or understand the losses across the wires. In oneembodiment, this may be accomplished by measuring and communicating thevoltage at these points back to the supply allowing the system tomonitor and adjust voltage if needed. Although FIG. 5 illustrates theterminator 512 at the end of the system, each node or wireless powersupply may also provide the power supply with measured voltage data tocontrol the voltage within suitable thresholds for each supply.

In FIG. 5, there may multiple power supply as part of a single wirelesspower delivery system, or each power supply may be part of a singularwireless power delivery system. There may be a central controller forthe building, or there may be controllers for each power supply. In abuilding, there may be power supplies in each room with remote powersupplies throughout the room, or there may be a central power supply inthe building that connects with all the remote power supplies in eachroom. There may be multiple controllers or a hierarchy of controllers soas to sub-divide the building into sections. The remote power suppliesmay be access points in which a device connects with and receives powerfrom the nearest remote power supply.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative wireless power distribution system600. In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates a connection with an externalnetwork 608 by components of the system 600 that allows for control ofthe wireless power distribution system 600 or devices/supplies in thatsystem 600 over the network 608. The network 608 may connect any of thecomponents to enable communication of data and may include wirednetworks, wireless networks, or combinations thereof. The wirelessnetwork may be a cellular telephone network, a network operatingaccording to a standardized protocol such as IEEE 802.11, 802.16,802.20, published by the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers, Inc., WiMax network, or other wireless network or combinationthereof. Further, the network 608 may be a public network, such as theInternet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinationsthereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now availableor later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networkingprotocols. The network(s) may include one or more of a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a direct connection such asthrough a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and the like, and may includethe set of interconnected networks that make up the Internet. Thenetwork 608 may include any communication method or employ any form ofmachine-readable media for communicating information between devices, orfrom the device to the system.

The wireless power distribution system 600 of FIG. 6 includes acomputer/control 602 coupled with a power supply 604, that powers remotesupplies 606 a-c. A remote device 610 is wirelessly powered at theremote supply 606 a, and the controlled device 611 is wirelessly poweredby the remote supply 606 b. An external controller device 612 is coupledwith the network 608. The remote device 610 and the computer/control 602may each be connected with the network 608 for transmitting information.In one embodiment, the external controller device 612 may have accessinto the wireless power distribution system. For example, a user at workmay utilize a computer or smartphone to access the home wireless powerdistribution system in order to dim any lights or otherwise controldevices being wirelessly powered within the wireless power distributionsystem. Likewise, the remote device 610 may communicate over the network608 to provide control over the other devices, such as the controlleddevice 611, or to access and/or modify the computer/control 602.Alternatively, since the remote device 610 is a local device, it maycommunicate with, and control, other devices in the system with thewireless power distribution. In one embodiment, there may be a web sitethrough which the computer/control 602 is interfaced for controlling thewireless power distribution system 600. The data that is transmittedover the network 608 may include a recognition/identification of deviceson the system, as well as commands from the device(s) with access toother devices. Load modulation may be used to communicate from theremote supplies to the primary power supply 604. The primary powersupply 604 may use either rail voltage modulation or frequency-shiftkeying (“FSK”) modulation to communicate to the remote power supplies.Simple communications may be needed with lower data rates to allow afull range of control.

FIG. 7 illustrates a process for reporting identifications in a wirelesspower distribution system. In one embodiment, the computer/control 602of FIG. 6 or the controller 102 of FIG. 1 monitor the wireless powerdistribution system to determine the presence of power supplies and/ordevices as well as identifications for each power supply and/or device.In particular, block 701 illustrates the search for power supplies andblock 709 illustrates the search for devices. In block 702, theavailable power supply identifications are requested. The wireless powerdistribution system may initially determine whether there are any powersupplies available based on a list of power supply identifications. Thelist of power supplies may include a historical list of any powersupplies that have been used within that system. Using the power supplylist, the connection of each of the power supplies is determined inblock 704 to identify connected power supplies. When no power suppliesare connected, the system may be in standby mode as in block 706. When apower supply is connected, the identifications of the power supply areregistered and the status of the power supply may be checked. Inparticular, if the power supply is not on as in block 708, then thedevice may wait in standby mode in block 706 for an available, connectedpower supply that is also turned on. Regardless of whether the powersupply is on or off, the available and connected power supplies areregistered with the system. The registration may include recording anidentification of the available and connected supplies that may be usedby controller devices or other devices for receiving wireless power fromthe power supplies. Based on the identifications, the system should knowthe power supplies that are available and connected, and the systemshould also be able to determine when those supplies are turned on oroff.

While the system identifies available, connected, and active powersupplies in block 701, the system may also search for devices in block709. The power supplies may have a simple control line between them tocommunicate and identify additional power supplies. A master powersupply may be the supply that is connected to a hub or network node toallow remote control. The power supply may first identify what powersupplies are in a master/slave power supply network and assigns aspecific identification by power supply and remote power supply. Eachrespective remote power supply may monitor for change in field oractively pings and looks for a device before it then requests anidentification by powering up a device. The powering of a device after acertain time or a certain amount of power may result in the device (e.g.remote device 610) to report the device's identification. The device maythen request the network control codes as in block 710. In response tothe request the device may receive a preset list of allowable deviceidentities, as well as control codes (e.g. commands) for those devicesthat establish how to control other devices in the system. The level ofaccess and control may determine the data, addresses and control codessent to the device. The device software then uses the received controlcodes and device addresses to show the allowable control assets readyfor control. Also in block 710, a determination as to whether devicesare present or changed is made in block 712. If there are no devicespresent or the list of devices is unchanged, a standby timer in block714 is utilized. After the standby timer expires, the power supplyidentifications may again be requested from block 702. Before thestandby timer has expired in block 714, the device identification isrequested again in block 710. If there are new devices present or thelist of devices is changed, then the control system and deviceidentifications are loaded as in block 716. The list may include thefollowing addresses in a node by node matrix: the hub address, theaddresses (identification number) for the low voltage power supplies,the addresses (identification) for the remote wireless power supplies,and then the device identification within the network. Devices may beportable or interconnected as shown in FIG. 3, showing the lightingcontrol 314 which may be interconnected with the network. Other controlsor device can also be remote via other radio frequency (“RF”) orwireless networks.

Accordingly, the wireless power distribution system maintains a list ofconnected and/or charging devices. The system tracks power supplies andconnected devices, so that if a power supply is removed or switched off,or if a device is added/removed, the system knows which power suppliesare available for charging and which devices are present. Further, theidentification of power supplies and devices may be utilized byconnected devices for establishing control. The computer/control 602 ofFIG. 6 or the controller 102 of FIG. 1 may control any of the connectedpower supplies or devices. Alternatively, any device may control thepower supplies or at least a subset of the other devices depending onaccess restrictions. For example, remote device 610 or externalcontroller device 612 may control the controlled device 611 illustratedin FIG. 6. The list of available power supplies and devices may bereceived by the remote device 610 for allowing the control of thecontrolled device 611. Accordingly, when the remote device 610 is withina vicinity of the system including the power supply 604 or any of theremote supplies 604, the device 610 communicates with the system andreceives an identification of supplies and/or devices. This listingenables the remote device 610 to control the other devices. For example,as in FIG. 3, when the wireless smart phone 312 communicates with thesystem and/or the remote wireless supply 108, the communication includesan identification of the wireless projector 310 and the room lighting314. The identification combined with additional control informationallow the wireless smart phone 312 to control the wireless projector 310and the room lighting 314. The additional control information isdescribed with respect to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary control types. In particular, FIG. 8illustrates a chart 800 that includes a list of devices. The chart 800includes control commands that may also be referred to as control codes.A device that receives wireless power or otherwise has the wirelesspower device control information in the chart 800 stored can controlother devices. This control information may be stored as part ofsoftware in a device. Alternatively, when a device is connected with thewireless power distribution system, it may wirelessly receive thiscontrol information, or it may be passed as part of the connection. Asdiscussed above, in a two wire example, this information may be passedas part of the DC power line, or in a three wire example, there may be acommunication line over which this information is provided to the powersupply. The power supply can then pass the information to a wirelesslycharging device. The wireless power supply may be a part of thecommunications between devices. The same power control element thatenables power control may also enable network communications.

For each device, a control, feedback variable, and description/useillustrated in the chart 800 may be provided. The exemplary devices arelighting, audio, video, cellular phone, laptop, power tools, or awireless supply. For each device a number of exemplary controls areillustrated. For each of the control types, a feedback variableindicates the type of communication that is transmitted for thatcontrol. The description/use describes the particular control. As shown,a lighting device has three exemplary controls: 1) power, 2) dimming,and 3) identification. The power is a binary feedback variable becauseit is either on or off. The dimming feedback variable is a level thatrepresents the degree or amount of dimming. The level may include anumber within a range, such as between one and ten, with one being thefaintest light and ten being the strongest light. The identification maybe an alpha numeric field for each of the devices that acts to identifythe device. In one embodiment, the identification may be a serial numberof the device.

As an additional example, the video device in the chart 800 may be atelevision or other display. The illustrated controls are power, inputsource, volume, channel, identification, forward/reverse, and title forthe video device. Accordingly, the volume (as a number/level feedbackvariable) can be adjusted by another device. The list in the chart 800is merely exemplary and there may be more devices that are subject tocontrol, and the devices shown in the chart 800 may have additional ordifferent controls and/or feedback variables for those controls.

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary command examples. When a device within thewireless power distribution system controls other devices in thatsystem, the controls may be passed to the other devices as commands. Thechart 900 in FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary commands that are used by acontroller device to control another device. For example, an audiodevice may receive a volume command, which as shown in the chart 800 ofFIG. 9 includes a numeric feedback variable. The numeric volume commandmay be a five which signifies a level of volume to be set. In oneembodiment, the volume may be 0 to 16. The chart 900 illustrates areturn message from the controlled device that may be provided inresponse to receiving the command. The return message may be aconfirmation of the command and an acknowledgement of satisfying thatcommand. The devices, commands, return messages, and functionsillustrated in the chart 900 are merely exemplary and there may be moredevices with more commands and return messages. For example, each of thecontrols illustrated in the chart 800 of FIG. 8 may include one or morecommands. As described in FIG. 9, the volume command for the audiodevice may include 17 commands for setting the volume from 0 to 16.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary hub addresses for power supplies. The hubaddress may be an aspect of the control identification that is used forthe remote control over the internet. As illustrated, each master lowvoltage power supply may have a hub address with each power supplyhaving a secondary address and other hot spots also being addressed forspecific node control and device interfacing. The chart 1000 includesfour environments for a wireless power distribution system: 1) home, 2)office, 3) car, and 4) airplane. Each of the environments may have aunique hub address. Within a particular environment, there may bemultiple low voltage supply zones, such as a bedroom, living room, andkitchen within a home environment. Exemplary environments areillustrated in and described with respect to FIGS. 13-15.

As described with respect to FIG. 4, there may be domains andsub-domains of control. Based on access control restrictions, somedevices may have control over certain sub-domains of a system ratherthan an entire domain. In one embodiment, the default access control fordevices may be local devices (e.g. devices in a room), whereas externaldevices (e.g. devices connected over a network or the Internet) may nothave control of other devices. There may be master devices that includecontrol over the entire domain and can control the domain over anetwork. For example, a house may be a domain and the individual roomsare sub-domains. Local control may be present in each room, but onlyselect devices are given control of the entire domain/house. This wayyou can turn off a whole house, turn off only select rooms, or turn offonly select devices within a room or rooms. Access may also besegregated for allowing a parent to control all devices but a child canonly control a restricted set of devices, or to prevent someone fromoutside a home to control things inside the home. Certain devices mayrequire only local control to prevent a fire hazard or other situation,such as control of an oven.

The wireless power system provides localized knowledge of items ordevices within a physical location. Based on that knowledge, specificand localized control of various devices may be provided. The knowledgemay include a particular address or other identification. In oneexample, a device description, serial number, model number, or otheridentifier may be used for each device at a location. This address oridentification information may be used for connecting or controllingthat device. Utilizing the wireless power network provides a way toidentify just the devices in one location, such as a particular room.That control may allow for information to be sent/received at a specificlocation without interference from different locations. The system hasan understanding of the devices within a particular location by usingthe wireless power network.

A connection with the wireless power network may include receipt of anidentification of devices associated with that particular network and/orlocation. In one example, a device coupled with a wireless power systemin a particular room may be able to identify televisions in only thatparticular room, rather than adjacent hotel rooms. The physical locationof devices may be identified by the wireless power system to avoidaccessing a device in a different room. Although devices in another roommay be detected, the system could identify the devices in that room. Forexample, a monitor, television, and printer may be in a hotel conferenceroom and only accessible within that conference room. This detection maythen be used for making a secondary wireless connection with thosedevices, such as through Ultra Wide Band (“UWB”). Alternative connectionmethods may be available including wireless USB, WAN, or through thewireless power network.

The physical location of the wirelessly charging device determines whichdevices are identified with that physical location. A user move fromroom to room and wirelessly charge their device in each room. While ineach room and accessing the wireless power network, the user's deviceknows the devices in that room and can access/control those devices. Theuser can easily change rooms and while connecting with a differentroom's wireless power system, the user gains access/control to thedevices in that different room. For example, a user can transport alaptop with a presentation to different rooms and access each room'sdisplay device or monitor for displaying the presentation. In oneembodiment, the connection between devices may be through Ultra WideBand (“UWB”). The laptop may connect with the display device through UWBto display the presentation. The identification of the display devicemay occur through the connection with the wireless power system. Inother words, when the user connects with the wireless power system in aparticular room, each of the devices in that room is identified. Theuser can then connect with those devices through other connection means,such as UWB.

In another example, an airplane passenger may utilize a handheld deviceto control all local devices associated with that passenger's seat, suchas seat reclining, audio volume, television/monitor display, etc. Thecontrolling device may be wirelessly charged at that seat and throughthe wireless power system, each device associated with that particularseat would be identified. Those identified devices could then beaccessed or controlled by the controlling device. The control would belimited to just that particular seat and would not affect the adjacentpassenger's seats. The physical location of the controlling device andits connection with the wireless power system determines which devicesare controlled. The passenger may then change seats and the handhelddevice would then be limited to the devices associated with the new seatonce the controlling device is moved to a different wireless charginglocation.

The controlled devices or items may vary. In a restaurant with wirelesspower at various tables, the user may control the lighting, blinds,audio, video, or other features associated with a particular table. Thecustomer may put the controlling device (e.g. cellular phone or laptop)onto the table for receiving wireless power, and the device may alsoreceive an identification of each device or item associated with thatparticular wireless power location. The controlling device may thenaccess or control those identified devices or items.

FIG. 11 illustrates a process for identifying and controlling otherdevices. In block 1102, the wireless power distribution system mayrequest power supply identifications for those power supplies that areavailable. In block 1104, a determination is made as to whether theavailable power supplies are connected. If there are no available powersupplies or no connected power supplies, the system continues to requestpower supply identifications in block 1102. If there are available andconnected power supplies, then the system requests deviceidentifications in block 1106. A determination is made as to whether therequested devices are linked with power supplies in block 1108. If norequested devices are linked with a power supply, the system requestspower supply identifications in block 1102. The power supply status andlocal zone control address are checked in block 1110 when the powersupply is linked with a device. The system then determines whethercommunications have been established with the device as in block 1112.The communications with the device may include the identifications ofother devices and/or power supplies as well as commands for thosedevices, such as the commands in chart 800 of FIG. 8. If there are nocommunications with the device, then the system returns to requestingpower supply identifications in block 1102.

When communications with the system and the device are established inblock 1114, the system is ready for one or more devices to control otherdevices. The control may be dependent on access levels. In oneembodiment, local devices or devices within proximity of the system mayhave certain access, while external devices (e.g. external controllerdevice 612 of FIG. 6) may have different access. For example, localdevices may be able to control the on/off and dimmer of room lights, butexternal devices may be limited to controlling the on/off switch of roomlights. Each controlled device may have certain functions with differingaccess levels. In one embodiment, there may be a local zone and a globalzone of addresses. In block 1116, if the control is not applied to thelocal zone, then in block 1118, the global zone is checked. If controlis not applied to the global zone or the local zone, then the systemcontinues to be ready in block 1114. If control is applied to a localzone, then the control is activated and the system communicates feedbackto the power supply or a control/computer for the power supply as inblock 1120. When the control is not for the local zone, but for theglobal zone, then control is activated and the system communicatesfeedback through the network or the Internet as in block 1122. Theglobal zone is device that is located away from the system and connectswith the system over a network, such as the Internet. In block 1124, thecontrol is updated when either the control was activated over the localzone or over the global zone.

FIGS. 12-16 illustrate various environments in which a wireless powerdistribution system may be used. FIG. 12 illustrates a home wirelesspower distribution system 1200. The system 1200 includes an AC/DC lowvoltage power supply multi channel 1202 that provides power to powersupplies within the home environment. In particular, the system 1200includes a power supply for the walls, ceiling, and/or floor 1204. Thesupply 1204 may include multiple power spots. In addition, the powersupply 1202 may power an end table power spot 1206, a coffee table powerspot 1208, a couch power spot 1210, and/or power spots for chairs 1212.The power spots may be remote power supplies that supply power or chargeto devices wirelessly.

FIG. 13 illustrates an office wireless power distribution system 1300.The system 1300 includes an AC/DC low voltage power supply multi channel1302 that provides power to power supplies within the officeenvironment. In particular, the system 1300 includes a power supply forthe walls, ceiling, panel and/or floor 1304. The supply 1304 may includemultiple power spots. In addition, the power supply 1302 may power aconference table 1306 with multiple power spots, and provide power topower spots at desks 1308, 1310, and at a table power spot 1312. Thepower spots may be remote power supplies that supply power or charge todevices wirelessly.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative office wireless power distributionsystem 1400. The system 1400 includes an AC/DC low voltage power supplymulti channel 1402 that provides power to power supplies within analternative office environment. In particular, the system 1400 includesa power supply for a large tabletop 1404 with multiple power spots.Likewise, the power supply 1402 powers a countertop 1406 with multiplepower spots. In addition, the power supply 1402 may provide power topower spots at tables 1408, 1410, 1412. The power spots may be remotepower supplies that supply power or charge to devices wirelessly.

FIG. 15 illustrates an auditorium wireless power distribution system.The system 1500 includes an AC/DC low voltage power supply multi channel1502 that provides power to power supplies within an auditorium. Inparticular, the system 1500 provides charge to individual desks ortables in the auditorium. Each desk or table may be a remote powersupply. Each device may be given hub addresses, control identification,and/or control codes related to control access within each environmentin which the device may be or has been wirelessly powered. Each wirelesspower environment may maintain a log with the hub address and controlattributes and elements making a list within the device for availablecontrol features. The device may maintain a single set ofidentifications, control codes, and commands that it uses in eachenvironment. The device may be programmed to understand the context ofthe environment and only certain present/allow commands appropriate tothat environment despite including programming for other environments.Alternatively, each environment may communicated new identifications,control codes, and commands. When the device is introduced into anenvironment, the system may push allowed commands/functions to thedevice. This may allow the system to dynamically change the device'scapabilities. Some environments may require a preset programming ofcontrols/commands, but still provide the device with certaininformation, such as the identification information for all devicesconnected with the system.

FIG. 16 illustrates a wireless power distribution system 1600 withmultiple control and power options using direct current (“DC”) outputs.The system 1600 includes an AC/DC low voltage power supply multi channel1602 that provides power to power supplies, such as a table power supply1604. The table power supply 1604 may include a wireless power supply aswell as a DC power jack. Likewise, a conference table 1606 may includemultiple wireless power spots. In addition, the conference table 1606may also include a DC power jack. Another conference table 1608 may alsoinclude multiple wireless power spots, as well as a DC power jack 1612that is coupled with a master power spot 1610. The master wireless powerspot 1610 may control the other wireless power spots in the conferencetable 1608. The master wireless power spot 1610 may control the AC/DClow voltage power supply multi channel 1602, such as by controllingvoltage properties or current properties of the power supply. The powerspots may be remote power supplies that supply power or charge todevices wirelessly.

FIG. 17 illustrates control using addressing and identification. FIG. 17illustrates how a device may have control using global addressing andidentification from the wireless power connection to multiple wirelesspower distribution systems. Each address may be a local identifier thatis shared when power is transferred and may be used for the globalcontrol (over the Internet) if global control is allowed. Each deviceidentification may be used for part of an address along with a hubaddress (e.g. for a master power supply) and power supply identificationwhen controlling remotely. Each power supply may also assigned anidentification number for node to node control within the network. Inone embodiment, the identification or addresses are email addresses thatare used for communicating information about the system 1700. In oneembodiment, an email message may include a command that is used forestablishing control.

The system and process described above may be at least partially encodedin a signal bearing medium, a computer readable medium such as a memory,programmed within a device such as one or more integrated circuits, oneor more processors or processed by a controller or a computer. That datamay be analyzed in a computer system and used to generate a spectrum. Ifthe methods are performed by software, the software may reside in amemory resident to or interfaced to a storage device, synchronizer, acommunication interface, or non-volatile or volatile memory incommunication with a transmitter. A circuit or electronic devicedesigned to send data to another location. The memory may include anordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logicalfunctions. A logical function or any system element described may beimplemented through optical circuitry, digital circuitry, through sourcecode, through analog circuitry, through an analog source such as ananalog electrical, audio, or video signal or a combination. The softwaremay be embodied in any computer-readable or signal-bearing medium, foruse by, or in connection with an instruction executable system,apparatus, or device. Such a system may include a computer-based system,a processor-containing system, or another system that may selectivelyfetch instructions from an instruction executable system, apparatus, ordevice that may also execute instructions.

A computer-readable medium, machine readable medium, propagated-signalmedium, and/or signal-bearing medium may comprise any device thatincludes, stores, communicates, propagates, or transports software foruse by or in connection with an instruction executable system,apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may selectively be,but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagationmedium. A non-exhaustive list of examples of a machine-readable mediumwould include: an electrical connection “electronic” having one or morewires, a portable magnetic or optical disk, a volatile memory such as aRandom Access Memory “RAM”, a Read-Only Memory “ROM”, an ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EPROM or Flash memory), or an opticalfiber. A machine-readable medium may also include a tangible medium uponwhich software is printed, as the software may be electronically storedas an image or in another format (e.g., through an optical scan), thencompiled, and/or interpreted or otherwise processed. The processedmedium may then be stored in a computer and/or machine memory.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description. While various embodiments of theinvention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations arepossible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventionis not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and theirequivalents.

We claim:
 1. A method for wirelessly powering a device comprising:receiving, at the device, an indication of a wireless power supplywithin a proximity of the device; authorizing, by the device, a wirelesstransfer of power from the wireless power supply; and communicatinginformation from the wireless power supply to the device upon theauthorization for the wireless power transfer.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the information comprises access codes.
 3. The method of claim 2wherein the access codes comprise passcodes for accessing features. 4.The method of claim 3 wherein the passcodes comprise a wireless networkpassword that enables the device to connect with the wireless network.5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information comprises controlcommands.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the control commands controlthe device.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the device comprises acontroller device and the control commands control other remote devices.8. The method of claim 7 wherein the controller device is locatedexternally from the wireless power supply and the other remote devices,further wherein the controller device is configured to provide thecontrol commands for the other remote devices from the externallocation.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the other remote devices arelocated externally from the wireless power supply and are controlled bythe controller device over a network.
 10. The method of claim 7 whereinthe information further comprises an access code that is required forthe controller device to control the other remote devices.
 11. In anon-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereindata representing instructions executable by a programmed processor forestablishing communication in a wireless power distribution network, thestorage medium comprising instructions operative for: identifying adevice to be charged by a wireless power supply; receivingidentification from the device; validating an access level for thedevice; and providing wireless charge based on the validation; whereinthe access level comprises access information outside of the wirelesspower distribution network.
 12. The storage medium of claim 11 whereinthe access level comprises a wireless network access password forestablishing communication over a wireless network with the wirelessnetwork access password.
 13. The storage medium of claim 11 wherein theproviding the wireless charge is further based on receiving aconfirmation from a user of the device.
 14. A wireless powerdistribution system comprising: a wireless power supply configured toprovide power; one or more remote devices that receive power wirelesslyfrom the wireless power supply; and a controller device that isconfigured to wirelessly receive power from the wireless power supplyand configured to receive information about the remote devices over awireless network.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the controllerdevice is further configured to receive the information when notwirelessly receiving power from the wireless power supply.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15 wherein the wireless network through which thecontroller device receives information is separate from the wirelesspower distribution.
 17. The system of claim 14 wherein the informationcomprises control commands that allow the controller device to controlthe remote devices.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the controllerdevice can control the remote devices without wirelessly receiving powerfrom the wireless power supply.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein theinformation comprises access codes, wherein the access codes arerequired before the controller device can control the remote devices.20. The system of claim 19 wherein the information comprises accesscodes for accessing features, such as a wireless network for enablingcommunication.